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Andy and JJ Dalton: Bills fans, you have helped hundreds

After donations poured in to the Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation, the Daltons contacted The Buffalo News, asking if they could write a letter expressing their gratitude. Here is what they wanted to say.

There have been many magical moments since we started the Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation in 2011, Andy’s rookie year with the Cincinnati Bengals.

We want to thank the City of Buffalo and its special fans for adding to that list.

This week you have shown us what true generosity and pure joy looks like as the Bills made it to the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. Many in your city have celebrated by contributing to our foundation, which has a mission to provide support, resources and life-changing experiences to seriously ill and physically challenged children and their families in Cincinnati and Fort Worth, Texas.

We know that Bills fans were showing their appreciation for Andy throwing a game-winning touchdown pass, knocking Baltimore out of the playoff race.

But what you all have done is beyond football, the Bengals and Bills, and any individual player or play.

Your donations will touch hundreds of real people, real lives.

The money we’ve received – more than $330,000 from 14,500 donors, as of Friday evening – could fund:

• Pass It On Fund. In 2018, we had a goal to provide six, $2,000 grants each month for the entire year. With your support, we will be able to double that impact and support. These grants provide support to families faced with major medical expenses insurance does not cover.

• Andy’s Hubs in children’s hospitals. The hubs provide access to iPads, computers, gaming consoles and mobile TV and theater systems to help pass time during hospital stays. There are five right now. We plan to add more.

• King for a Day events. The foundation hosts hundreds of families of seriously ill and physically challenged children to an all-expense-paid day at Kings Island, a spectacular amusement park in Cincinnati.

• Date Nights in Cincinnati and Fort Worth. The foundation allows parents of seriously ill and physically challenged children to drop off their kids with the two of us and friends and then enjoy an all-expenses-paid dinner out. We entertain the children with games, face painting, a sundae bar and more.

• Holiday Hearts events. With the help of some “elves,” we pass out gifts each December to sick children and their families at Greater Cincinnati hospitals.
Just look at what you will allow us to do!

You should know that we have received donations from Bills fans from $5 to $1,000 and support from as far away as Australia, Israel and England. More than 9,500 people contributed as of Wednesday morning, starting 30 minutes after our victory over the Ravens. And that number keeps growing.

We are overwhelmed by your kindness, and we thank you, the City of Buffalo, from the bottom of our hearts.

As a family, we have been blessed with an opportunity to give back to others and help people in need. You have blessed us with your generosity.

Bills fans, please have a wonderful 2018 and know you started the new year off in a special way for many families.

Dalton has been the Cincinnati Bengals’ starting quarterback the past seven years. His 49-yard TD pass to Tyler Boyd last Sunday on a fourth-and 12 with 44 seconds left defeated the Baltimore Ravens 31-27 and sent the Bills into the playoffs. You can donate to the foundation by visiting www.andydalton.org.